Sagrada Família in Barcelona, the iconic basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí, is now the tallest church in the world. The basilica reaches a height of 162.91 metres (534 feet) after the installation of the cross at the top of its central tower dedicated to Jesus Christ.
Construction of this church began in 1882 and was taken over by Gaudí in 1883. However, over the decades the project faced setbacks which included the Spanish Civil War that destroyed many of Gaudí’s original models. Then COVID-19 pandemic slowed down the progress of this tourism-funded project.
Until now, world’s tallest church was Ulm Minster in Germany at 161.53 metres. The Sagrada Família has just surpassed it by approximately 1.38 metres. The height record was achieved by placing the first section of the cross on the “Tower of Jesus Christ” — the basilica’s central and highest spire. Measuring 7.25 meters in height and weighing 24 tons, this new part is the lower arm of the cross.
Even though 162.91m is the current official height, the tower is scheduled to reach about 172 metres (564 feet) when completed in the coming months, which will confirm the basilica’s new benchmark. In addition, work continues on the facades, interior decoration and surrounding landscaping and the officials say that they expect final decorative work to run into the early 2030s.
However the Tower of Jesus Christ will be completed by 2026 coinciding with the 100th anniversary of Gaudí’s death. The construction is known for being funded primarily by tourism entrance fees rather than government grants and in 2024 the site attracted nearly 5 million visitors.
The Sagrada Família encapsulates a fusion of Gothic inspirations with Gaudí’s organic, flowing, nature-inspired vision. In Barcelona’s skyline the basilica now truly dominates — a visible symbol of more than a century of devotion, craftsmanship and innovation.
